2012's Best Movie Posters

December 24, 2012 8:49 AM

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Entertainment Weekly #1 - LES MISERABLESEW likes how this one echoes the iconic illustration from the 19th century novel's original publication. And funny how it doesn't feature any of the film's above-the-title stars. less

Entertainment Weekly #1 - LES MISERABLES
EW likes how this one echoes the iconic illustration from the 19th century novel's original publication. And funny how it doesn't feature any of the film's ... more

Entertainment Weekly #7 - ZERO DARK THIRTYThe movie may be one of the year's best, but poster-wise, I was never completely sold on this one, or on the trailer where this image becomes uncovered. There's a difference between portending something and being portentous. less

Entertainment Weekly #7 - ZERO DARK THIRTY
The movie may be one of the year's best, but poster-wise, I was never completely sold on this one, or on the trailer where this image becomes uncovered. There's a ... more

Entertainment Weekly #9 - BACHELORETTEEW likes this poster because it's the only they've included that comes from an actual scene in the movie (like last year's head shaving 50/50 poster). I don't know, those three in the back seem like some bad photoshop to me. less

Entertainment Weekly #9 - BACHELORETTE
EW likes this poster because it's the only they've included that comes from an actual scene in the movie (like last year's head shaving 50/50 poster). I don't know, those ... more

Entertainment Weekly # 12 - MOONRISE KINGDOMMaybe the poster that most evokes the feel and mood of the movie it promotes. Moonrise Kingdom, my favorite movie of the year (so far), is all storybook and realistic fantasy (fantastical reality?). less

Entertainment Weekly # 12 - MOONRISE KINGDOM
Maybe the poster that most evokes the feel and mood of the movie it promotes. Moonrise Kingdom, my favorite movie of the year (so far), is all storybook and realistic ... more

Entertainment Weekly #15 - KILLING THEM SOFTLYWonder how many of next year's movies are scrambling to erase any gun imagery from their posters in light of recent events. And maybe the makers of Killing Them Softly are questioning this artsy vision following the film's dismal box office. And what's with the American flag? It makes it seem like this is some sort of 60s-70s counterculture piece like Easy Rider or Joe. less

Entertainment Weekly #15 - KILLING THEM SOFTLY
Wonder how many of next year's movies are scrambling to erase any gun imagery from their posters in light of recent events. And maybe the makers of Killing Them ... more

Entertainment Weekly #19 (Part 1) - THE CAMPAIGNThis is the first half of a twofer for EW. And get it? It's a poster ... of a poster. Actually, the marketing of The Campaign was masterful on all fronts.

Entertainment Weekly #19 (Part 1) - THE CAMPAIGN
This is the first half of a twofer for EW. And get it? It's a poster ... of a poster. Actually, the marketing of The Campaign was masterful on all fronts.

Entertainment Weekly # 21 - THE PAPERBOYI'm a sucker for any purposely vintaged poster. This one works nicely. Interesting that while, yes, Zac Effron is the title character, the main character played by Matthew McConaughey gets the least prominent - not to mention out of focus - placement. And am I the only one who's creeped out by John Cusack's eyelashes? less

Entertainment Weekly # 21 - THE PAPERBOY
I'm a sucker for any purposely vintaged poster. This one works nicely. Interesting that while, yes, Zac Effron is the title character, the main character played by ... more

Entertainment Weekly #22 - THE AVENGERSAnother poster I don't think is all that special. Also, its so-serious and comic book-y tone (yeah, I know, I know ... it's based on a comic book) are at odds with the ultimate fun of the movie. less

Entertainment Weekly #22 - THE AVENGERS
Another poster I don't think is all that special. Also, its so-serious and comic book-y tone (yeah, I know, I know ... it's based on a comic book) are at odds with the ... more

Entertainment Weekly # 25 - ON THE ROADEW thinks this poster captures the spirit of Jack Kerouac's iconic Beat novel, as well as managing to gracefully get its large cast involved. Still, notice how Kristen Stewart gets the most eye-catching placement? less

Entertainment Weekly # 25 - ON THE ROAD
EW thinks this poster captures the spirit of Jack Kerouac's iconic Beat novel, as well as managing to gracefully get its large cast involved. Still, notice how Kristen ... more

30 BEATSI had never even heard of this indie comedy about how a heatwave affects the sex lives of a group of New Yorkers, but this poster is superb, calling to mind both old pulp novels and retro record albums.

30 BEATS
I had never even heard of this indie comedy about how a heatwave affects the sex lives of a group of New Yorkers, but this poster is superb, calling to mind both old pulp novels and retro record albums.

30 BEATS I had never even heard of this indie comedy about how a... Photo-3938351.54311 - Beaumont Enterprise

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CARRIEA perfect tease for next year's remake of the horror classic. It promises something new and modern while also acknowledging the original's existence and calling cards.

CARRIE
A perfect tease for next year's remake of the horror classic. It promises something new and modern while also acknowledging the original's existence and calling cards.

CARRIE A perfect tease for next year's remake of the horror... Photo-3938352.54311 - Beaumont Enterprise

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CASA DE MI PADREThis what-were-they-thinking Spanish-language Will Ferrell comedy western was always going to be mostly a cult item, but its retro-looking poster is classic and ideal, right down to the simulated folds. less

CASA DE MI PADRE
This what-were-they-thinking Spanish-language Will Ferrell comedy western was always going to be mostly a cult item, but its retro-looking poster is classic and ideal, right down to the ... more

FRANKENWEENIEOK, it was only an early teaser, but look what it accomplishes: makes nods to the works of Charles Addams and Edward Gorey; connects back to Tim Burton's original live-action short; conveys the feel of the eventual stop-action 3-D film; is creepy and endearing in equal measures. Just like the movie. less

FRANKENWEENIE
OK, it was only an early teaser, but look what it accomplishes: makes nods to the works of Charles Addams and Edward Gorey; connects back to Tim Burton's original live-action short; conveys the ... more

FRANKENWEENIE OK, it was only an early teaser, but look what it... Photo-3938354.54311 - Beaumont Enterprise

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HOLY MOTORSI can't tell you what's going on here, or even what the movie's really about despite having read the synopsis. It just freaks me out - in a good way. It makes me want to see the movie.

HOLY MOTORS
I can't tell you what's going on here, or even what the movie's really about despite having read the synopsis. It just freaks me out - in a good way. It makes me want to see the movie.

KAMENAnother movie I had never heard of, this Russian kidnap thriller's poster knows how to shock you. Even in less handgun-touchy times (and when is that?), this one would be highly effective, and that's before your eyes slide down to see the hands holding the gun. less

KAMEN
Another movie I had never heard of, this Russian kidnap thriller's poster knows how to shock you. Even in less handgun-touchy times (and when is that?), this one would be highly effective, and that's ... more

KAMEN Another movie I had never heard of, this Russian kidnap... Photo-3938356.54311 - Beaumont Enterprise

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LINCOLNSmart thinking. When you have maybe the most iconic figure in American history brought to life by possibly the best actor working today, keep it simple, strong and stark. The profile shot is clever - hey, it's like our money! - and the deep shadows perfectly evoke the 16th President's dark and doomed legacy, as well as the movie's moody lighting. less

LINCOLN
Smart thinking. When you have maybe the most iconic figure in American history brought to life by possibly the best actor working today, keep it simple, strong and stark. The profile shot is clever - ... more

LINCOLN Smart thinking. When you have maybe the most iconic figure... Photo-3938357.54311 - Beaumont Enterprise

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NOT FADE AWAYA lot is going on here in this simple and misleadingly romantic shot. The 60s setting may not be evident and it may tell you next to nothing about the plot, but it intrigues rather than confuses; it makes you want to see the film. As if the name David Chase and the words from the creator of 'The Sopranos' didn't already. less

NOT FADE AWAY
A lot is going on here in this simple and misleadingly romantic shot. The 60s setting may not be evident and it may tell you next to nothing about the plot, but it intrigues rather than confuses; ... more

NOT FADE AWAY A lot is going on here in this simple and... Photo-3938358.54311 - Beaumont Enterprise

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PARANORMANI wish they had gone with this for the animated movie's main advertising. The colors, the style, the sheer art of it. I would hang this on my wall.

PARANORMAN
I wish they had gone with this for the animated movie's main advertising. The colors, the style, the sheer art of it. I would hang this on my wall.

PARANORMAN I wish they had gone with this for the animated... Photo-3938359.54311 - Beaumont Enterprise

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TEDHere's my Ted preference. It's not just because it features star Mark Wahlberg (or at least his back); it manages to point to the lifelong ease and friendship between man and bear and still get across the profane and naughty nature of the movie. less

TED
Here's my Ted preference. It's not just because it features star Mark Wahlberg (or at least his back); it manages to point to the lifelong ease and friendship between man and bear and still get across the ... more

THE CABIN IN THE WOODSMaybe it was too esoteric for mainstream audiences, but this M.C. Escher-inspired artwork is beautiful and sinister. And its tricky and confounding visuals give a taste of the better-than-you-think thriller's plot. less

THE CABIN IN THE WOODS
Maybe it was too esoteric for mainstream audiences, but this M.C. Escher-inspired artwork is beautiful and sinister. And its tricky and confounding visuals give a taste of the ... more

THE CABIN IN THE WOODS Maybe it was too esoteric for mainstream... Photo-3938362.54311 - Beaumont Enterprise

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THE DARK KNIGHT RISESSure, it might crib from director Christopher Nolan's last movie, Inception, but that doesn't mean it doesn't fit The Dark Knight Rises to a tee. It helps to have such a famous and recognizable symbol to play around with. And hey, it worked so well, you can see it reimagined in the first images from next year's Star Trek sequel. less

THE DARK KNIGHT RISES
Sure, it might crib from director Christopher Nolan's last movie, Inception, but that doesn't mean it doesn't fit The Dark Knight Rises to a tee. It helps to have such a famous and ... more

THE RAVENEverything the movie didn't turn out to be. This artwork. John Cusack is Edgar Allan Poe. What promise, what squandered promise. Hey, here's a thought: why doesn't the artist responsible for this make an animated film of The Raven? less

THE RAVEN
Everything the movie didn't turn out to be. This artwork. John Cusack is Edgar Allan Poe. What promise, what squandered promise. Hey, here's a thought: why doesn't the artist responsible for this make ... more

THE WORDSI know you would think the sight of beautiful people like Zoe Saldana and Bradley Cooper sprawled fully clothed across an unmade bed would seem a no-brainer in terms of movie promotion, but actually, that didn't turn out so well, did it? Maybe they should have stuck with this ASCII art-inspired work. Get it? The words make up the picture. less

THE WORDS
I know you would think the sight of beautiful people like Zoe Saldana and Bradley Cooper sprawled fully clothed across an unmade bed would seem a no-brainer in terms of movie promotion, but actually, ... more

THE WORDS I know you would think the sight of beautiful people like... Photo-3938365.54311 - Beaumont Enterprise